Electrical rail systems with axially interleaved contact arrays

摘要

An improved electrical rail system for removable and repositionable lighting or other electrical fixtures is disclosed in which electrical interface contacts are interleaved along the rail axis to provide a wide range of fixture pivoting angles around the axis and linear translation along the axis of the rail assembly. Track systems disclosed include linear electrode rails with substantially circumferential contacts configured to provide pivoting of luminaires around the rail in excess of 180 degrees to provide lighting fixture directional flexibility. Helical rail systems are also disclosed with a plurality of interleaved electrical contacts on the surface that coil around the axis of the rail providing continuous pivoting of fixtures. Embodiments include rails with axial symmetry that may be bent in directions perpendicular to the rail axis. Embodiments provide fixture functional switching through movement in a first direction followed by further movement of the fixture without functional switching.

主权项

1. An electrical distribution system comprising:
a rail having an axis and a length in the axial direction and an outer surface of the rail located about the axis, wherein the rail comprises a plurality of axially interleaved contacts and electrical insulation wherein the electrical insulation is adapted to cover at least a portion of an axially interleaved contact of the rail; and a fixture comprising at least two fixture contacts, wherein the fixture is configured for mechanical attachment to the rail in a position outward of the outer surface of the rail; and wherein the at least two fixture contacts are configured to make electrical connections to at least two of the axially interleaved contacts and wherein at least one of the fixture contacts comprises insulation displacement means for piercing the electrical insulation.